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Thursday, September 30, 2010

I had a great conversation with one of Dejavunatural Simone. She was played a huge part in my inspiration to create this blog. She is a member of dejavunaturals. She is still on her journey along with myself and enjoying it, learning and growing. A true friend and a friend that is always empowering and lifting me up. Enjoy!!

When did you decide to go Natural?

Well, I started reading a lot of black oriented material that made me feel powered as a young black woman, right after high school. The material helped me to understand who we were as black people and black history. In 2002-2003 a year after high school, I start going natural against the status co. I would rock my hair in puffs; I didn’t care what anyone thought.

How long have been natural?

From 2002-2006 my hair was natural, and then 2006 -2007 I had permed my hair because I didn’t know about hair therapy, hair treatment or hair styling for natural hair. I would just wash and condition. I wanted some length so I thought I could perm my hair, wrap set and go. When I decided to go natural I let the perm grow out and my hair kinked up. I had done this before so I knew it would work for my hair. I didn’t have to do the Big Chop when I decided to go back natural. I like it!! There have been a couple times that I went back to perm and then back to natural.

What is your hair regimen?

My hair is sadly enough coloured treated with a metallic dye I regret, I wash my hair with Pantene Pro V Black and Natural at the moment until I can find a natural alternative. I deep conditioning with a treatment I stand by I have been using it since I was a child: Cholesterol and hair mayonnaise, I sit under a steam cap or hair dryer and I use a shower cap while I steam. Those two products can be found at your local hair supply store. For my homemade leave in I use a mixture of aloe gel, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, 3 drops or tea tree oil. It has a slight consistency of a gel and yet a great moisturiser. The aloe provides great moisture and I used it for twisting. This is what works for me! I would suggest for anyone looking for a natural hair care treatment that does not want to buy products from the local stores do your research. If you hair is dry use peppermint with avocado and there are lots of hair recipes online and YouTube that can be very helpful. I use my silk bonnet at night.

What’s the best advice you would give to someone with a negative stigma about going natural and natural hair?

1)Well first you have to ask yoursel& s series of question: What do you want for yourself?

Do you want healthy hair that can grow? Without 9ou thin+ing straight hair is the way to go.

Do you want the burden of a weave? YouTube has many videos of girls taking their weaves out and they are often so relieved once they have finished. However, you can also say that natural hair is a burden, but God gave it to you! If you want to rock natural hair, that is a decision you need to decide for yourself, and if you are scared do your research. YouTube is a great resource for girls interested in transition to natural hair. There are a lot of tips on hairstyling, treatments, healthy hair care and growth. Once you get to a level where you are able to transition or do the Big Chop then the decision is yours. If you don’t want to take that route find styles to protect your hair shaft and roots. It’s protected when your hair isn’t being damaged. If you’re protecting your hair and your hair is healthy then it’s a protective style for you to do until you get your hair to the desires length that you can start to twist your hair or styles as desired. I am not talking about ,ong hai2 but something you can style. It starts with the mind.

Secondly you should also ask yourself if keeping your hair natural fits within your everyday routine. Natural hair would require you to have patience to wash and condition, twist and style your hair without the added use of weave. Will you feel confident? It is a new road and if your use to getting your hair done by a beautician, you’re going to be changing up your whole lifestyle. You will always have to think about: Is my hair presentable enough to go on to the next day? You have to find a styles that works for you that makes you feel confident because the average black female does love looking good. Be confident to know even if you’re not at your best your beautiful, it’s love of self.

If you haven’t thought about going natural I can’t convince anyone to go natural, when someone is not convince in natural hair it is up to them to see the beauty. Inspiration is what compels people to go natural. If you decided that going natural is time consuming that is a choice you choose but there is a lot of girls going to school, work full time or part time have blogs and are Natural. Finally Self-will, are you willing to take the time out?

What inspires you?

1)YouTube is my number one inspiration it is such a great tool to see other black women in North America and UK put them-selves out there, do tutorials and give their tips and techniques on hair care. It is a great support mechanism. When you see another black woman putting herself out there she is putting herself opened to be ridicule. Another black women is either going to see her videos and take her advice and start making videos. It’s empowering and beautiful to see.

2)My friends

When did you fall in love with your hair?

I have always loved my hair as a little girl I always thought of my God given hair texture to have length. I never wished of Barbie or Bardie hair length I looked at myself as a young black girl. I saw the image in which God made me. Even though I wanted long hair I wanted long natural kinky hair. I guess I was one of that lucky girl’s that saw the beauty in it. I always loved my hair but the people around me influenced my decision to perm my hair. I saw permed hair and thought it was the way to go. If I was educated about single braids or weaves I’d been more complied to single braid my hair and weave my hair at the age of 13 when I permed my hair. My hair was long at 13, but because of the encouragement of my sister who was a hairdresser I permed my hair. I remember she had cut a huge amount of hair because it was damaged. I wish i had not; my virgin hair was beautiful in its natural state.

What would you say to your Virgin natural hair?

I don’t want to say I regret making the decision to chemically alter your luscious locks that you bless me with for 13 years, it was a decisions I made but it was the advice and influence of someone else that didn’t not embrace natural hair and now I want to come back to you I will never see you again in your virgin form but we will always be one no matter what because you’re in my memory…

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

I know sometimes having natural hair can be hard. There is the misconception that it can't be style and look good for your everyday life. I believe this all starts with the mindset of society being past down from generation to generation on the way they view natural hair. Remember, you are born with your hair and it wasn't a mistake. Yes! it can be hard getting started on your journey to having natural hair but I have said this many times it is one of the best journey's you can take as a black women. It is so liberating, empowering and it's yours to love. I love providing inspiration, because even I need a little inspiration from time to time. It goes a long way to see the beauty in our hair and in ourselves.

Styling our hair is not the hardest thing in the world, if you have the right knowledge and the right tools it becomes enjoyable and fun to do. The right knowledge comes from getting to know your natural hair and doing your research, our hair is prone to breakage so you must be gentle with your every styling. Styles that are too tight may cause not only damage to your edges but also to your ends.

If your interested in retaining length the best way to so is with protective styling. Protective styling is done by moisturising your ends or in other terms sealing your ends which can be done with castor oil, coconut oil, or shea butter just to name a few. Once your ends are seal they must be protected this can be anything from: a simple bun, to loose braids, flat twist, box braids, cornrows, twist outs, braids outs and many more. Try to be creative with your style and unique out hair is versatile enough to do so.

Here are a few tips to remember:

Our hair changes from winter, spring and summer so how you care for it will show. Observe your hair in these conditions and the products you use, you may have to change products or protect your hair from the elements. The effects of these climates may vary from head to head.

Get advice from other naturals, there are so many naturals who have been natural for years and there progress and results speak for itself. Ask questions, find out what works for them, being healthy and taking care of you hair will give you the results you are looking for.

PROTECT PROTECT PROTECT your hair while you sleep with a silk head wrap, make sure the hair is in a loose style to prevent pulling, and rubbing against itself.

When you style your hair make sure that your hands are not constantly in your hair, leave your hair hands- free for 3days helps to protect, keep moisture in and retain length.

Your head of hair may be different from someone's else so pay close attention to yours and what works for you may not work for someone else. However the basics of healthy living and healthy hair care will work for many.

Be patient with your results.

Be creative, unique, if you want to try it, do it and be confident and bold!!!

I usually save these finds for the end of the week but I thought it wouldn't hurt to post it anything, besides fashion is so much fun. I came across a few finds I thought I share with you guys. Just some great style ideas for when you hit the mall. Enjoy...

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Aldo 69$

More shoes....
I also came across this site called Anthropologie that had some really unique finds, everything from shoes to bags...for me I envision my outfit with whatever it is I choose to buy. Alot of times it's hard to see the vision of maybe a shoes: How do I wear that? ...be creative, be you if you like them I say rock it!!

Out of the common love for music and the community, Red Planet Sound was formed collaborating the talents of DJ Mix Master Caesar, Toronto Hip Hop Artist Deep Thoughts, and DJ Kid Max. Individually each has excelled in the industry but united together they are a force to be reckoned with out to make Red Planet Sound as one of Toronto’s Elite Entertainment Team.

Red Planet Sound has showcased their talents on Boat Cruises as well at some of Toronto’s most prestigious lounges and private events. Primarily the Crew has been focusing on Corporate and Community based events close to their hearts such as the United Way , Breakfast Children’s Club, Toronto Blue Jays Holijays Event, and the Wayne Dawkin’s All Star Charity Basketball event just to name a few. They have made repeated appearances on Rogers TV and “thatchannel.com” programs such as “Day Time” and the “Beat Goes On”.

DJ Mix Master Caesar:
Introduced by his uncle to the art of DJing at a very young age, DJ Mix Master Caesar unable to shake his surmounting love for Music; began seriously crafting his skills as a DJ. Raised in Toronto he has developed strong ties and sense of compassion for the community. He has attended and successfully completed sessions at Toronto’s infamous Scratch Lab and has continuously been playing out with ravishingly great revues.

Deep Thoughts:
Deep Thoughts also known as DT has been consistently delivering quality music with his unique brand of Hip Hop from a very young age. Born in urban Toronto nurtured by his mother to explore his artistic abilities by enrolling DT in performing arts programs; DT has spent part of his formulative years in Brooklyn New York. His writings reflect his experiences of street life with empowering and enlightening messages in his music. DT is a prolific writer, producer and influential MC known for his high energy performances in elegant business suits.

DJ Kid Max:
One of the newest members to Red Planet Sound and the music scene ;under the tutelage of Mix Master Caesar Dj Kid Max has been honing on mastering his skills to become one of Toronto’s Up and coming premier DJs.

Now as you step out and move your feet, you come to realize you are no longer where you use to be. You are in the Red Planet and this is where music lives.....

Monday, September 27, 2010

Change your mind frame: Open your mind to who you are and who you want to be. Remember you are going to have things said to you both positive and negative, How will you react? You made a decision to go on this journey so embrace it, love it, learn about yourself, pay attention to your hair, pay attention to yourself and learn as much as you can. This will help to change your mind frame.

Accept who you are: No one can love you more than you, it is here that you need to make an informed decision to become happy and lead a fulfilled life. It is wise to become fearless, go on a journey to experience all that you can. Travel, read, go dancing, meet new people and live. This will help bring all the positive energy to your life. Go on your journey with a fresh pair of eyes.

Fall in love with you: Learn to accept your flaws, acknowledge both the good and bad. Once you do that someone pointing out your shortcomings will only help them understand that you are aware and on your journey to becoming a better person. You are human and you are not perfect. When you fall in love with yourself you become gentle with yourself and to the way you treat your hair, mind and body. It plays an important role in which you attract to your life.

Look at the positive side: Our hair is so versatile, we are able to create styles no other race can ever imagine, not only can we create them we can maintain these styles for a long period of time in a neat manner. Healthy hair is the reason many of us choose to go natural or stay natural so remember that when you look at your beautiful tresses it is a beautiful part of who you are.

Take care of your hair: Regardless of what you may be feeling never neglect your hair, it is your crown and glory. Whether you wear it short, long, protective styles or out, treat it with respect, treat it like it is delicate because after all it is.

Take care of yourself: Be mindful of what you put in your body and on it. It will appear on your skin, your face and the results of how you take care of your body will show in your hair.

“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live” – Jim Rohn

Admire your beauty: This does not mean become self-absorbed it means to pay attention to the beauty that you are. Humble yourself to love yourself unconditionally so you are able to respect yourself whole-heartedly. The things that do improve over time because of your journey and the care that you provide to yourself admire it; the things you can’t change admire it. What you have is yours so use it to your best ability.

Be honest: Always be honest with yourself, we all have bad days, there are days you are going to be in love with you and days you aren’t, just be honest. There are days you are going to love your natural hair and days you won’t. Know that you have the ability to change this.

Be patient: Your hair, your body, your mind state is not going to change overnight. It will take a while for you to be comfortable if you are going through some self-doubt. For some it takes a while until they wear that first afro out in public. It is a weird feeling at first, you feel like the world is watching you, commenting, wondering and curious. What is it? Simply hair and you should put your best forward, head up, smile and a good outfit, accessories and a hot pair of shoes and you’re ready! Take the world head on.

All great achievements require time- Maya Angelou

Express gratitude: If someone is paying you a compliment, smile is graciously and acknowledge. Some people may even want to touch your hair it doesn’t mean there trying to be rude they may simply be curious. Of course you don’t have to let anyone touch your hair but saying it in a way that says I love that you admire my hair says a lot about you who are. Remember the way you present yourself to others says a lot about you.

Be confident/Boost your confidence: Believe it or not the best way to boost your confidence is to surround yourself with like mind friends, or people. If you like art go to an art show, take in a play, go dancing. Putting yourself in a social gathering will boost your confidence and surrounding yourself with friends that love natural hair or even wears their natural hair. It will not only bring you closer but also provide with someone to talk to and a safe haven. Your good friends are always able to lift you up that’s the kind of people you need around you. Keep meaningful relationships in your life that lift you up.

Have fun: It is so simple yet so true. Some mornings I wake up and I love to dance so I put my head phones and in and yes I jump on my bed. Sounds silly but I find joy in the simplest of things. It makes my life interesting it makes me happy to run around my house dancing and jumping on my bed I got that from my niece who said “aunty it so much fun”. Having fun will always put a smile on your face and imagine if you could feel like that 90% of the time, the problem with that is that you can’t your human. However, you can find ways and do things that make you happy, that add to your journey.

See Beauty: When you pay attention to the positive things in your life you beginning to see how beautiful they are. Like the rose garden in your neighbours back yard, or the colour of the leaves when fall is around the corner. These are just some of the things I find inspire me. I can sometimes just sit staring at the stars and looking out the balcony at the city lights. Seeing beauty in the little things is what makes life so precious, is what will make your journey more beautiful. For some people it is art or family whatever it is see the beauty in it all.

Be your style: Having your own style is what will set you apart and help you become aware of your love for your hair and how to style your hair. When you leave your house feeling like you put your best out, it’s an amazing feeling. Just because you’re natural does not mean you cannot look good, feel good and be good. If you can’t find it you can be creative and design for yourself, create a style for yourself, and yes it may take a while before you find your style but experimenting with clothes, hair, shoes, accessories, makeup is so much fun!!!

Grow spiritually:When you grow spiritually you become more peaceful, connected, kind, loving and compassionate. You’re mind absorbs the beauty around it and it becomes thirsty for knowledge. Therefore loving yourself becomes an automatic thing.

Here are a few more mindful notes:

Always think and speak in a positive manner towards your hair

Don’t always seek compliments from other people you won’t always get it,

Let go of all the negative experiences

Trust yourself and the decisions you make- “Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do.” – Benjamin Spock

﻿“To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance.” – Oscar Wilde

A few weekends ago I spent some time with one of dejavunaturals beautiful ladies and one of my closest friends, as always we talked for a while about our hair experiences. I might also add that she was one of my main encouragements in doing all of this so am forever gracious, as I am enjoying my journey.

It took me quite a while to get around to writing this article because I had to do a lot of searching, asking around, thinking and just taking a step back and looking at the whole picture. Comb your hair? Have you ever had anyone give you that dark comb your hair look? Say to you or tell you to Comb you hair? I must admit at first I laughed when I heard the story. I laughed because I immediately pictured that look. I do believe that being natural it can really play on your confidence if you have not gotten out of your old mind frame. If you are not confident with who you are I am most certain this would be a hard situation for you to handle as a natural.

I have been natural my whole life, never thought about being anything but natural. It was a personal choice I am glad I choose, with that said; I also did not know how to properly take care of my hair. One of the things I experience and am stilling going through is my self-discovery. I have said to numerous people I learned to love myself, appreciate myself, and love to take care of myself. I want to so much in a way I never knew I would. I took up books, read articles, search the internet, am still creating and experimenting with natural organic products for my hair. I’m Love it!

Over the weekend I thought about how this week was going to start and how can I inspire someone who may be going through this. I learned a long time ago that changing your life is changing your attitude is changing the way you think. Believe it or not if you have a bad attitude towards your hair, someone else will too. Some will regardless of whether you do or not, it is up to you to maintain that love for your hair even if society brings you down. Why hide behind doors expressing your love but not defending your choice to embrace naturally you?

The best answer I can give you is when you make a decision to love yourself, you are making a decision to embrace who you are and come alive. It is here that you take full responsibility for the outcomes of the experiences that you experience in life and allow yourself to shine through.

It is a peculiar sensation, this double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at one’s self through the eyes of others, of measuring one’s soul by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity- W.E.B. Du Bois

Friday, September 24, 2010

I wanted to do something a little different to inspire you to keep on your journey of being naturally beautiful...I love art and it inspires me to create my own. It also inspires me in my everyday life.
So i'll start this weeks art inspiration like this....Enjoy!!

I recently took a trip to kensington with one of my fellow Deja vu naturals, we had a fun fun fun. Kensington is one those places that has a little of everything. A little vintage, a little unique, alot of natural, and alot to see. It is one of those places I always visit and shop. Believe it or not it has some of the most unique things you will ever find. It is one of the places I go to get some of my natural products like my raw honey.

I met some great people on my recent trip and took some great pics.

Arriving at Kensington

And the journey begins....

I just had to show you guys what I wearing. A good day!!

I cant seem to enlarge this picture. One of the Beautiful ladies of Deja vu.

Jeans vest: H&M

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Just some of what you can find!!

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They had some really unique accessories

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Look who else we ran into, I guess he loves this place too

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This was a great summer outfit: jumper, love the colours

﻿﻿﻿﻿ Funky Junky﻿﻿﻿

Love this vintage store! we had so many flash back moments

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I loved this so much, adorable!!

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This is so true!!

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They had so many to choose from!!

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This brought us back, I remember playing with these as a child!!

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More vintage cameras

I love this t-shirt...Can't touch this...hammertime!!

Chesty LaRue: Actress and Dancer

Saw this lovely lady managing Funky Junky. I had to take note of your vintage yet modern classic style.
Top: thrifted.
Pants: H&M
What you dont see is the back of the top it ties up ...Love it!!
Her bangles I loved she wore this look.

Allto

Altto we had a great conversation with the owner pictured above.
The owner is from mexico so the store has this flavour to it I love.
I was able to pick up some really cool shades and accessories!!

We spotted this car...I love it!

Art

We came across two really great stores that had some amazing natural products for hair and skin.

Spotlight

I came across this great shop called Tribal Eye owned by Anthony Richards. I love his energy, and his sense of humour. We spent a long time in the shop looking around and even got some organic black soap not the "painted soap" as he said they sold in many stores. He has been running the store for over 25 years and recently moved to Kensington Market. His art work is divine, he sources each piece directly from the artists and can tell each customer the history of the piece. Simply put he fell in love with African art and beauty.

In addition to all this Anthony products are all handmade, everything from Oils, candles, and his creams. One of his biggest client includes the Body Shop. I am proud to say he is Deja vu Spotlight. If your ever in Toronto Tribal eye is located at 73 Kensington Ave, Toronto Ontatio, M5T 2K2. Check it out!!